The National tribune., 1887-03-03

LOFTY courage aud glory. Laughter aud applause
on the Republican side. And although They never
rode down the line amid the huzzas OF their com
rades. as the gentleman tells ms u was his wont 10
do for these brave men were generally atoot and
30 the command Of duty they were the soldiers OF
the country. the rank and file, lighting Tor the
maintenance OF the Union. These are tle men that
the bin applies 10. =
Now there are two questions involved IN this bin.
First u IL right In principle-an act oi justice 10
these proposed bencfciaries- does the hnanclal
situation OF the country and the present cohulloh
OF the Treasury Justify IL? That Is the hrst ques-
ton and the second question -, does TINS bl LARRY
represent the Legislative purpose oi Oongress ana
u that legislative purpose expressed IA iiiis Dli
susceptible OF practical execution 10y The adninis-
trative officers of this Government? That Is all
there II in u.
What course SO fitting rs the way pointed out by
this bill, 10y the Nation they served from IT'S own
Treasury, and upon whom or what does the oDli-
cation rest 10 strongly and urgently as upon lhe
Nation itself? il is but discharging an honorable
obligation upon the part of the Government and
expresses iis gratitude TO its volunteer deienoers
upon land and II seems TO me that The bill Is
Ia every way warranted 10y duty and our SITUATION.
That il takes much or little money does not Affect
lis righteousness or justice; that consideration can
only apply 10 condition and our ability 10 meet
the contemplated expenditure The larger the class
thus dependent aud totally disabled only appeals
the stronger TO patriotic feeling and duty ana
makes greater and more commanding the neeesslty
FOR this measure. aud the greater The disgrace anu
inhumanity TO withhold 1t.
MIR. MORROW, OF CALIFORNIA:
The question whether or not this bill IL asked for
Ivy the soldiers of this country, has. illnk, Deen
best answered by their petitions aud applications 10
this Congress. The Representatives from 0aih0f-
nia have placed in the petition box numerous peu-
tions from the soldiers OF the Pacific Coast ia favor
of this measure. now send another TO The CLERK
desk adopted by the Department Encampment OF
California, Grand Army Of the Republic, and ask
thai il may be read.
Mr.. HEPBURN, OF IOWA:
Ofall the gentlemen that have spoken in opposi-
ton 90 the passage Of this bill every one save one
voted for IT, There is some reason Tor change oi
trout Mr. speaker. A number Of those gentlemen
like myself terminate their official life the 4th OF
next March, And a large number of them, unlike
myself, are now mendcants about the Nhlle
Crooking the pregnant hinges OF the knee
That thrit may follow fawning'
Applause.
Mr. Speaker, deny the right Of the gentleman
from Ohio Mr.. Warnerl or the gentleman from
Wisconsin Mr. Braggl 20 speak for the Grand
Army Of the Republic OF this country. tell YOU,
sir. that while those gentlemen did occupy honored
places ia the great army aud were everywhere
esteemed, yet they are looked upon 10y the Grand
Army to-day, when they rise IN their places here
10 dcnounce their old comrades as Vagabonds ana
scamps aud pCrlurcrs and the scum Of humanity, as
Benedict Arnold was after his treason by his old
cOmradesln arms.
Mr. Speaker there was n time when Benedict
Arnold rode along the lines with flashing eye and
cleaning saber and when lac met with the aeeiaims
of brave sol0icry, who welcomed him with long
huzzas a leader without bemish or repronch.
Yet there was another period ia las lie when he
/ held an interview with an American on English
soil, lac not daring 10 come on American SOIL. lie
asked that old cOmrade what he thought those
who had worn the uniforms Of the Continentals in
the days OF the Revolution thought Of him-whst
would they do with him should they meet him.
The reply was They would cut of your leg That
was wounded at Saratoga and bury IL with the
honors Of war, aud the rest of your carcass they
would hang upon gibbet." IL would he with
such an answer as this that the old soldiers. the
membership of the Grand Army Of the Republic
would repudiate the claim of the gentleman to
a lRfl ~
veto.
Mr.. Speaker. your table Is now weighed down
with petitions from the old soldiers calling for the
passage of this bill Look at those petitions. Post
after Post of one, two three four. five and Goo men
by unanimous vote demand that this bill shall he
passed. outstanding the objections Of the
/ President. Attention also has been called Ia the
action Of the last Grand Encampment. la reply i
/ demand attention 90 the Telegram from the Grand
Commander Of the United States, General Fair
child. addressed TO the gentleman from Wisconsin
Mr.. la Follette, which he could NOT read because
lac had not time. lie tells us ia this telegram that
this n the bill iu ils substance that the Grand
/ Army for years has been demanding, aud which
should now be passed. Applause.
/ 80 the charge which the gentleman from Wis
! coBsn Mr.. Bragg made that the Grand Army had
/ repudaied this bill Is as untrue IA word aud es-
sence the greater portion os all OF his diatrbe of
abuse against his old comrades
Mr.. Speaker. IL Is not an uncommon thing for n
! skilled huntsman To decoys- 10 IL ~ that that
solid South that opposed this bill with unAn-
unity and that stimulated this veto has poi forward
al these Northern gentlemen To represent them.
Not one of our Southern brethren. for political
! sons has had The courage of has convictions aud
4 dared TO speak here as lac viii vote. Why? Be
cause IL would challenge the attention of the
Northern Democratic soldier, 10 this united oppo-
sition of those that once were opposed to us and
the wealth Of this country and the metropolitan
press Of this country against the old soldiers.
There IL this peculiar union all have noticed.
deny that the great dailies of the cities speak the
j sentiment OF the country. They do nOt do il.
They the mouthpieces of the wealth aggre-
gated IN the communities where they are pub
lished.
/ am sorry 10 say. and confess IL with shame
that that same wealth Is in opposition 10 the old
soldiers. The rich men assume that they pay the
1 taxes. Aud yet Mr.. Speaker. 10 NAV not be UNI
timely TO sound note Of warning here. Who is il
that IL la most peril from disturbance la this land
4 Where u n that there ~ unrest and disquet be-
] cause OF communism, socialism. anarchism, and
/ the many kindred political vices that cur
1 rent in this cOuntryg Where Is IL that men aud
/ women lie down AT night uneasy because they
recognize the presence Of "A growing enemy ia their
midstg II is la those same centers of wealth: and
the people there of all others need to keep perfect
faith with tle soldiers aud with the material from
/ which the best soldiers are made. The safety oi
society is IA the conservatism Of the country aud
the village life Of America Five millions Of the
real estate propctors IN this land are farIn-owners
and live upon their farms.
There are 1900 $50 Of other landed proprietors oi
whom 290o.ODD are scattered through the villages
aud small Towns Therefore whenever III ever
the trial comes between the new ideas Of coufisca-
tion aud the old ideas OF law and order. those who
own tle wealth Will have 10 appeal 10 the con-
Of this country, and there il where the old soldiers
10 be found Mr. Speaker, before I take my
seat wish to ask the gentleman from Indiana Mr.
! MatsonI whether II u true that the Chairman
81 the Committee Invalid Pensions haas in hi,
possession petition TO this body. public doeu
mein asking Congress TO pass a service pension
Till and put all the old soldiers upon the pension
roll nj - month--a petition signed 10y Groves
Cleveland" IN July 1854.
Member When he was n candidate for Presi
dent.
ME-. W0LFoRD, OF KENTUCKY:
Mr.. Speaker. the bill under consideration is RICH
la principle. correct la policy, and our q overnmen
b. abuncantly able 40 pay the expense OF IL. shall
no stop. sir 10 inquire who Is for this bin VIA,
IN against a. my honest conviction "a that IL ongh
10 pas. have nothing 10 say TO the dscredt o
the President ofth United Sisies. lvoied for hin
UItd did all could FOR las election As "A Demo
that the poor starving soldier who served hs cOun
try should be left TO die without recognition or w
lief from his Government The President had
right 10 veto this bill. II he thought u wrong
aud agree with gentlemen who have said here il
eloquent terms thai iIe veto message il an all,
document; but, SIR. in the hearts aud ia the soul
Uf The lovers OF liberty OF the lovers Of right Of th
lovers OF country the report presented by the Com
mitiee Invalid Pensions 10 llis House upon thi
bin ailer the veto message 81 the President re
ceived viii live forever. Applause.
| The President la has annual message expressed
The opinion ilit soldiers suffering from disability
and who could trace their disability TO injuries
CURED ia the serNlce. ought 10 be pcnsiODed ans
hc said further and honor him for il. that the pen
sion ought To be granted 10 them NOT NJ matter o
charity, but n "A matter Of law and Of right. Thl
bin gives To the soldier who suffered for his
try pension matter Of right-iusi what Ia.
President sad ought 10 he done and for my part
! sir. thought was voting the Presidents scnli
meHts when voted for this bill. thought wa
yuiug with the President Of my parry. and con
Tess that his arguments. strong aud powerful "a
, ihey nre. have not convinced me- or changed m!